Off-duty cop stops armed man at eatery

Saturday

Feb 15, 2014 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - An off-duty Stockton police officer confronted an armed man at a busy Stockton restaurant Friday night and held the suspect at gunpoint until uniformed officers arrived to take him into custody, authorities said.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - An off-duty Stockton police officer confronted an armed man at a busy Stockton restaurant Friday night and held the suspect at gunpoint until uniformed officers arrived to take him into custody, authorities said.

The off-duty officer, whose name was not released, is being hailed as a hero after springing into action while dining with his family on Valentine's Day.

About 200 people were inside Arroyo's Café in the 2300 block of West March Lane when a man and a woman began to argue with two other men near the restaurant's bar, said Lt. Jay Smith of the Stockton Police Department. The first man, 46-year-old Ruben Acosta, pulled out a gun and began to threaten people with it, sending many people diving for cover and scores more running for the exits, Smith said.

The off-duty officer made his way to the bar area after hearing the verbal dispute and saw Acosta holding a gun, Smith said. Acosta attempted to leave the restaurant with his female companion, 41-year-old Aurora Mercado, but they were confronted by the off-duty officer, Smith said.

The officer drew his firearm, identified himself and, with the help of a citizen, detained Acosta until backup officers arrived, Smith said.

"He did a great thing," Smith said. "It takes a special kind of person to insert himself in that type of situation when you see someone waving a gun around. For him to step up and put himself in harm's way to thwart any kind of serious consequences is very commendable."

Acosta and Mercado were arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, Smith said. Acosta was also arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Smith said.

No one was hurt and there was no property damage, Smith said.

"I'm surprised with that many people there and that much going on and alcohol being involved," Smith said. "We really dodged a bullet on this one tonight."

Contact reporter Jason Anderson at (209) 546-8279 or janderson@recordnet.com. Follow him at www.recordnet.com/crimeblog or on Twitter @Stockton911.